The ocean’s unsung heroes took centre stage at the Blue Water EduFest 2023. It’s not your typical awards ceremony; it’s a heartfelt tribute to the champions of marine conservation who are working tirelessly to save our oceans. Now let’s meet the 10 eco-heroes featured….
The Blue Water Heroes Awards at the Blue Water EduFest 2023, organised by ONE°15, shine a spotlight on remarkable individuals and their contributions to preserving our planet’s most precious resource, the ocean.
A Beacon of Hope and Action
Arthur Tay, CEO and Executive Director of SUTL Enterprise, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the Blue Water Heroes Awards: “Blue Water Heroes is not just an award ceremony; it’s a beacon of hope and a call to action. Encouraging the activists in our region to spearhead marine conservation is vital because they hold the key to a sustainable future for our oceans. Their passion, fresh perspectives, and unwavering commitment remind us that the responsibility for ocean conservation belongs to us all.”
This event is more than just a feel-good celebration; it’s a rallying cry to safeguard our oceans. Urgent action on marine conservation is our lifeline, and innovation and collaboration are non-negotiable. Janet Shum, Sustainable Investing Specialist, APAC, Citi Global Wealth, who serves as one of the judges, emphasises the importance of fostering innovative solutions: “The Blue Water Heroes Awards provides a platform to not only bring the selected eco-champions to the spotlight and inspire others but also catalyse innovative solutions through enabling them to further scale their impact.”
Meet the Blue Water Heroes Finalists
Before we dive deeper into the magic of the Blue Water EduFest, let’s meet this year’s ten Blue Water Heroes finalists. These inspiring eco-champions hail from Southeast Asia and are actively engaged in various marine conservation efforts. From educating local communities about ocean conservation to organising communal beach clean-ups and even finding innovative ways to convert ocean plastics into hydrogen fuel and seaweed into biofilters, their dedication knows no bounds.
- Tom Peacock-Nazil, Founder & CEO, Seven Clean Seas
Tom Peacock-Nazil, the mastermind behind Seven Clean Seas, is leading the charge in an epic mission to clean up our beaches around the world. With a team of over 3,800 enthusiastic volunteers, they’ve already rescued a jaw-dropping 50,000 kilos of plastic trash. But that’s not all – Seven Clean Seas doesn’t just stop at cleaning; they’ve got a whole bag of tricks up their sleeve.
This eco-warrior and his organisation have crafted ingenious solutions to measure, cut down, and offset our plastic footprints. In 2022, they pulled off an incredible feat, clearing a whopping 459,722 kilos of plastic off the beautiful Indonesian coastlines – a whopping 138% jump from the year before! Their total tally now stands at an astounding 1 million kilograms.
Tom isn’t going at it alone either. He’s teaming up with big players like the United Environment Programme (UNEP) and the 3R initiative to push us toward a zero-waste future. Plus, he’s not stopping at just cleaning up beaches; he’s diving headfirst into regional waste management and cutting-edge plastic recovery technology to keep our oceans squeaky clean.
- Kong Man Jing, Co-founder, Just Keep Thinking
Meet Kong Man Jing, also known as BiogirlMJ and the co-founder of “Just Keep Thinking” in Singapore. She’s a fervent champion of environmental conservation, and she has a knack for making complex science fun and accessible. Using her social media platform, she crafts whimsical illustrations that break down environmental issues like pollution, marine ecosystems, human-wildlife conflicts, and plastic pollution. Her approach appeals to a wide-ranging audience, spanning kids, seniors, schools, and eco-conscious organisations.
But she doesn’t stop sharing knowledge online. Kong Man Jing actively teams up with various green groups to involve the community in impactful initiatives, including campaigns, videos, road shows, and beach cleanups. As a nature guide, she educates people about the ethical treatment of marine creatures and collaborates with NParks to safeguard marine invertebrates.
Her dedication goes beyond the environment, as she also mentors underprivileged youths and youths at risk, imparting her wisdom about Singapore’s natural world.
- Alvin Chelliah, Chief Program Manager, Reef Check Malaysia
Alvin Chelliah, the Conservation Manager at Reef Check Malaysia and the driving force behind the Cintai Tioman initiative on Malaysia’s Tioman Island, is more than just a dedicated marine biologist. He’s a visionary leader reshaping the island’s future. His mission? To fortify Tioman’s social and ecological resilience. He’s not just about research; Alvin is all action, championing educational programmes in local schools, empowering communities for coral reef conservation, and advocating responsible tourism.
His brainchild, the Tioman Marine Conservation Group (TMCG), has gone from a handful to a formidable 25-strong team. They’re experts in reef monitoring, ghostnet removal, and coral rehabilitation. TMCG is no longer just a group; it’s a registered company with close ties to the Department of Fisheries Malaysia, hailed as local reef stewards. Alvin’s endgame? The prestigious IUCN Green List certification for Tioman Island Marine Park is a symbol of global recognition for its diverse biodiversity and community-driven resource management.
- Oh Chu Xian, Founder, Magorium & M-Impact
Meet Chu Xian, the visionary behind Magorium & M-Impact in Singapore. In 2019, she kickstarted Magorium, a groundbreaking initiative that transforms plastic waste into NEWBitumen, an eco-friendly game-changer for road construction. With over 8,000 kilogrammes of plastic waste diverted from incineration, she’s driving a substantial shift towards waste reduction. Not stopping there, Chu Xian also launched M-Impact, dedicated to educating the youth on environmental matters. Her mission is to elevate Singapore’s abysmal 4% plastic recycling rate to a commendable 35% by 2025, paving the way for a cleaner environment and waters.
- Gary Bencheghib, Co-founder, Sungai Watch
Gary Bencheghib, co-founder of Sungai Watch in Indonesia, is on a mission to fight plastic pollution. Together with his siblings, Kelly and Sam Bencheghib, they’ve already conquered a million kilogrammes of plastic waste in Bali and are using that data to revolutionise waste management on Java Island. Established in 2019 under the Make a Change World organisation, Sungai Watch is leading the charge against plastic pollution in Indonesian rivers.
- Anna Oposa, Executive Director and Chief Mermaid, Save Philippine Seas
Anna Oposa is a powerhouse in the realm of shark conservation, waste management, circular economy practices, and environmental education. Her impact is undeniable, as she spearheaded the creation of the Philippines’ first shark sanctuary and the national safeguarding of critically endangered thresher sharks. Anna also introduced the Sea and Earth Advocates (SEA) Camp, a groundbreaking initiative training marine conservationists across Southeast Asia. She’s the driving force behind the Waste Watchers programme, aimed at reducing single-use plastics, and is at the helm of the Shark Shelter Project, safeguarding thresher sharks near Monad Shoal. Not even the destructive force of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 could deter these remarkable sharks from drawing divers to the region, playing a pivotal role in the island’s remarkable recovery.
- Made Mertaekales (Pak Eka), Founder, Mina Bhakti Segara Lestari
Meet the dynamic founder of Mina Bhakti Segara Lestari in Bali, Made Mertaekales, a.k.a. Pak Eka. He transformed from a cyanide fisher to a coral saviour in 2002, driving coral reef preservation through creative solutions. He’s not just a leader but an eco-pioneer, working hand-in-hand with the tourism industry, educating visitors, schools, and universities. With a knack for innovation and leadership, Pak Eka secured funding without traditional grants or donors, even collaborating with the National University of Singapore for groundbreaking initiatives like coral table nurseries and inspiring reef rehab workshops across diverse locations.
- Swietenia Puspa Lestari, Founder and Executive Director, Divers Clean Action
Swietenia Puspa Lestari, the visionary behind Divers Clean Action (DCA) in Indonesia, spearheads a youth-powered movement to tackle marine debris in small islands and coastal regions. As a proud member of the Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA), DCA actively contributes to global endeavours, such as the Our Ocean Youth Leadership Summit.
Swietenia’s groundbreaking work includes the creation of Indonesia’s inaugural coastal and marine waste database, along with her advocacy for community-based research. Through their SOSIS programme, DCA is on a mission to turn Kepulauan Seribu into zero-waste islands, harnessing the power of community engagement and waste separation. They foster partnerships with universities, government agencies, and industry leaders, all while championing the #NoStrawMovement to curb single-use plastic straw consumption.
In 2021, DCA carried out 27 cleanup initiatives with the support of 500 dedicated volunteers, resulting in a significant reduction in waste, especially single-use plastics. This substantial effort played a pivotal role in shaping the 2025 Waste Management Action Plan for Kepulauan Seribu.
- Jessica Novia, Founder, Carbon Ethics and Bumi Journey
Jessica Novia, a powerhouse hailing from Jakarta, Indonesia, is on a mission for our planet. As the driving force behind CarbonEthics (CE) and Bumi Journey (BJ), she’s a catalyst for climate restoration and environmental enlightenment. CE champions the preservation of blue carbon in coastal sanctuaries, while BJ offers transformative experiences by planting mangroves and coral with local communities. Her vision promotes a holistic approach where the economy, environment, society, and spirituality thrive in harmony. Since its launch in 2019, CE has sown over 70,000 blue carbon seeds, locking away a whopping five million kilograms of CO2e and boosting local farmers’ income by an impressive 22 percent. The tally? A remarkable 77,300 thriving life forms exist, encompassing 6,852 resilient mangroves and 349 vibrant corals. And that’s not all—Jessica Novia is also a dedicated impact investor committed to balancing our climate and uplifting communities.
- Mathilda D’silva, CEO & Founder, Ocean Purpose Project
Meet Mathilda D’silva, the driving force behind the Ocean Purpose Project (OPP) in Singapore.
In 2015, her journey towards conservation started when she encountered polluted waters in the Philippines and received a diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, sparking her passion for environmental protection.
Since its establishment in 2020, OPP has achieved remarkable milestones, such as removing a whopping 7,017.5 kilograms of plastic waste, establishing 380 seaweed-mussel lines, and identifying 20 seaweed species in Pasir Ris. Their approach includes inspiring positive change through community initiatives, transforming ocean plastics into sustainable fuel and hydrogen, and harnessing the power of seaweed for eco-friendly biofiltration.
In collaboration with research partner Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute at NTU, OPP is on a mission to create an innovative ocean plastic-to-hydrogen hub. To top it off, D’silva proudly served as the official SailGP Singapore Impact Partner in 2023 and joined forces with various organisations for a mangrove clean-up on World Clean-Up Day.
Distinguished Panel of Judges
The judging panel for the Blue Water Heroes Awards is a formidable assembly of individuals who understand the gravity of the task at hand. It includes Arthur Tay, Chairman and CEO of SUTL Group; social media influencer and climate advocate Paul Foster; Janet Shum, Sustainable Investing Specialist, APAC, Citi Global Wealth; Christine Amour-Levar, Founder & CEO, HER Planet Earth, Co-Founder, Investors for Climate; Chong Seow Wei, Regional Senior Editor, Tatler Gen.T; Dr. Winston Chow, Associate Professor of Urban Climate, Singapore Management University; and Dr. Toh Tai Chong, Senior Lecturer, National University of Singapore. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, ensuring a rigorous selection process.
Previous Year’s Heroes Share Their Progress
The impact of the Blue Water Heroes Awards is not confined to a single night. Past winners such as Melati Riyanto Wijsen, founder of Bye Bye Plastic Bags; Thanda Ko Gyi, founder of the Myanmar Ocean Project; and Dr. Louisa Ponnampalam, founder of MareCet Research Organisation, will be sharing their ongoing efforts and accomplishments since being crowned Blue Water Heroes last year. Their dedication is a testament to the lasting influence of this event.
A Vision for the Future
Blue Water EduFest 2023 is poised to redefine the boundaries of marine conservation. It serves as a platform to encourage the future leaders of tomorrow to take actionable steps towards preserving our oceans and coastlines. With unwavering dedication to empowering enthusiastic and courageous eco-champions across Southeast Asia, this event reminds us that the responsibility for ocean conservation belongs to us all. After all, our planet’s health is a shared responsibility, and together, we can make waves of change in the world of marine conservation.